Different Styles of Prayer

There is no set style of prayer. People pray in different ways for different reasons. Some people fold their hands, but many others don’t. Some people bow their heads, but others look up. Some people close their eyes; others keep them open. Some people pray silently, but others pray out loud. Some people kneel on the floor, but others prefer to sit or stand when they pray. These things don’t make our prayers more effective or more likely to answered, although they might help us to center our attention on God.

God is less interested in our physical posture. He accepts, enjoys and appreciates the prayers that come from our heart, regardless of the style that is offered. Samuel 16:7 says, “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Some people think that since they are talking to Almighty God their prayers should contain fancy praises or biblical-sounding words such as thee and thou. They think that if they don’t pray in just the right way, God might not hear them. This isn’t true. God wants to hear our prayers in our own words, and from our heart. He cares most that we are sincere and honest. He wants us to feel free to tell Him anything, in whatever way is comfortable to us. He wants us to share our concerns with Him because He cares deeply about us. 1 Peter 5:7 says “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” God wants to hear from us!

God wants to hear from us whether it is a silent prayer or spoken prayer from our mouth. Either are equally effective ways in which to pray to Him.

Some different styles of prayer mentioned in the Bible are: Psalms 2:2; 1 Timothy 2:8 lifting up hands in prayer, Numbers 16:22; 1 Chronicles 21:16-17 falling facedown on the ground, 2 Chronicles 6:12-14 standing then kneeling, Ezra 9:5; Acts 20:36 kneeling, Isaiah 38:1-3 lying down, Jonah 2;1 scrunched inside the belly of a big fish.

The position we pray in or the type of words we use are only important if they help us better focus on God.

Ephesians 5:19-20 Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything; in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Vickie’s Prayer:

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day, I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed becausemYou are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. And give me the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak... Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray for those that don't believe. But I thank You that I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes; that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it in Jesus' name.
Amen! God Bless ! ! ! ! !